Dante at 11 weeks.

We're so happy with Dante, and he's starting to get more independent so I can actually get things done around the house. He will bring his favorite toy and just play in the same room where I am working.

Dante is really coming along. Last night I got almost 7 hours of sleep and he has been going to the back door when he needs to go out today! Yes, it's the little things that make me happy! We started obedience training at home this week, I want him to shine in his puppy class, and I am happy to say he is doing awesome. Two sessions and he is coming when called and will sit on command even without a treat. Yes, as you expected, he is quite food motivated, but by the end of today's session he was sitting with just the command and the clicker. I have a feeling he is really going to stand out in the obedience ring. Just for fun we started playing fetch and amazingly enough he's got that down too. He will bring me his ball AND even drop it at my feet! I was really surprised by that because he loves his toys so much! He has been helping John clean up the yard too, he finds every twig and leaf that is still out there and takes it to his favorite spot on the side of the house before I can stop him. I guess it's ok if he is not chewing them! I think he likes that side of the house the best because it faces south and this time of year it gets sun all day. He's not a big fan of the cold, his little legs just shiver when we come in at night.
He gets lots of snuggles to warm up though and he really likes when there is a fire in the fireplace. He will sleep for hours on his bed if there is a fire.

Dante at 11 weeks.

[From Dante's new family] Our other Doberman, Max, was a puppy from a litter we had and it was so hard to see them go. To make a long story short, his mother was a pregnant stray we took in. We tried to find her family, but couldn't so we kept her and one of her pups.

We are so happy with our new little guy, I can't even begin to tell you how much. It just amazes me how well adjusted he is.

Buddies settling in for the night.
Diego at 7 weeks.

Diego on Christmas morning.... He loved all of his gifts from Santa and wore himself out playing with his duck. Hope that you all have a merry merry Christmas.

Last week my daughter hosted a dance party at our house, and Diego and I were the last ones to find out about it. She ran around the neighborhood handing out invitations. The festivities began around 6pm. The parents started showing up a half hour later. It was a fun evening, but it sure can get pretty loud with a house full of girls having fun together!

Diego slept through the whole thing. All the parents were amazed that such a large Doberman pup (we just weighed him - he weighs 46 pounds) was so mild in such a loud but non-threatening situation.

Diego and Chip relax. At 11 weeks.

John and Janie and Diego have played so hard this Christmas break and just got home from a live Nativity. They are all snuggled up to watch Home Alone 2. Diego fell asleep in the first ten minutes. He is such a sweetie..... We love him so! He and Chip are getting along great and really enjoy playing together now.

Diego and Chip work it out.

Mandy sneak attacks Abby! 11 weeks

Mandy - all pooped out. 11 weeks.

Hello Judy Happy New Year !! Well it has been a playfest here all day today. There is no end to the playing. Well to eat and then they get right back at it !! I had to separate them so they would go to sleep last night and I put Fiesta in her crate and she did not like it at all she cried and cried, she prefers this big dog pillow I got her so that's where I let her sleep. She stayed there all night long. I got up thru out the night and checked on her and let her out. She would come back in and go right back on her pillow.
I want to brag a little . . . I wipe Abby's feet when she comes in so she doesn't track and now I've been teaching Fiesta that she has to sit when she comes in and wait to get her feet wiped. It took her about four times until she got it! She knows now to sit when she comes in and get her feet wiped! What a dog! She's really really eager to learn !!
Have a safe and blessed new year !!!

One of Diego's new friends.

Mandy at bedtime. 11 weeks

Hello O'Day family it was so nice to finally meet you - you are our new extended family! Fiesta rode home fine,she slept most of the way,but made up for it when we got home. She and Abby played and ran and ran and played then ran some more, pretty much in that order! They both have FINALLY laid down (only because I have them separated). As promised I am sending you pictures of her first night at home, there are many more to come. Thank you so much for bringing such happiness to Abby and our family.

Mandy takes a siesta! 11 weeks

Hildy and Chuck.

Hildy is also settling in well, as a matter of fact, this is now Hildy's house. I think she has inspected every inch. Last night was the first night she slept all night in the crate without crying!!! The first night was pretty bad, I ended up sleeping with her on the couch, each night has gotten a little better and last night was great. The weather here has been beautiful the last couple of days so we have spent a lot of time outside, she chased our kitty up a tree twice!!

We were watching television the other night and a commercial came on with someone playing the piano, she stopped playing, sat down and just listened. I rewound the commercial and she did the same thing. Then yesterday the same commercial played and she sat down to listen again. I was wondering if she was used to hearing someone playing the piano at your house?

Hildy

I can't believe how much Hildy's grown. It's hard to believe that we've only had her two weeks.

Hildy

Dante all tuckered out, at 8 weeks.

Dante

Just wanted to let you know that Dante is doing great! He is already my little velcro boy; he follows me everywhere and he loves to sit on my lap. I keep forgetting he is going to be somewhere between 85 and 100 pounds!

I love that he wants to be near me all of the time. It's really nice, esp. since John travels so much. Thanks for letting him be around your cats too. It has made it so much easier around here. Domino and Miller seem to be accepting him into their "pack" and Dante is pretty respectful of them. He wanted to play with Dom and when he backed off a little Dante backed off too. Oddly enough, he hasn't chased anyone but me! I am shooting for 4 hours of sleep tonight!

Dante at 8 weeks

Decisions, decisions . . .
Dante at 8 weeks

Hildy is doing well - the leash tip has helped. This morning was our best walk yet!! She is doing better with her potty training and she has learned to sit on command.

Things are going good here. We have decided on a name, Hildy. Her official name will be Hildegard Rosa. She is settling in well, her favorite spot is the center of the couch. It rained here last night and I did discover that she does not like to go in the wet grass. I have had her outside today and she is so funny to watch. Thank you again for allowing us to adopt her. I will keep you posted and send pictures as she grows.

P.S. We stopped just down the road from your house and bought a beautiful Christmas tree. I think that it is prettier than any I have ever gotten here at home.

Hildy

Hildy with her new playmate.

Dante with his new family - 7 weeks.

The handoff

Oof! I thought we were playing 'touch'!